ESPN App
The long-awaited launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service within its flagship app included several innovative tech elements. AI underpins features such as personalized “SportsCenter For You” highlights and the “Verts” vertical video feed, which tailors scrollable video clips to fans’ interests. “StreamCenter” syncs live games on connected TVs with real-time stats on mobile. But the scale of the offering is what is most impressive, as the app makes thousands of hours of live games, original programming and highlights available from the most expansive portfolio of sports rights in the industry.
Ministry of Sport of Saudi Arabia: Inclusive Stadium Experience System
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport debuted two accessibility-focused, AI-powered technologies at the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh in last December: a “SoundShirt” that fed stadium audio through sensor-embedded fabric for deaf fans and tactile boards that simulated ball movement in real-time for blind fans. The ministry reported high satisfaction rates in response to the technology and a 200% increase in sensory-impaired fans at top-tier events.
New York Mets: Mets Connect
The first full year of the Mets’ loyalty program, Mets Connect, saw 114,000 registrations, more than doubling its initial goal. The program integrated directly into the MLB Ballpark app and, in addition to rewarding fans with in-venue perks, engages them outside of the ballpark with digital games. It also increased tracked fan transactions by 23 times, driving more targeted fan offers and better ROI measurement for sponsors.
NBA Tap to Watch
In its first year of fresh media rights deals with ESPN, NBC and Prime Video, the NBA launched a “Tap to Watch” button across owned and third-party digital channels to help with discoverability. The simplicity of the concept — one button automatically routing fans to the proper destination to watch live games — belies complex technology underneath. Smart links built for each origin point (app, web, social, etc.) factor in users’ locations and rights eligibility to ensure they are linked to the correct live destination.
OneCourt
OneCourt’s haptic devices, which turn live tracking data into tactile vibrations on a laptop-sized tablet, are pioneering accessibility for blind/low-vision fans in the U.S. The startup debuted its technology at the professional level with the Trail Blazers in partnership with Ticketmaster and have since expanded to deployments with the NBA’s Kings, Suns and Nets; MLB’s Diamondbacks; and T-Mobile (around the 2025 MLB All-Star Game).
PixMob: NOVA LED Armrest
PixMob’s LED technology plays a foundational role in the Intuit Dome’s ambitious fan experience strategy. High-tech armrests — installed in each of the arena’s more than 17,000 seats — contain lights that create waves, pulses and color flows throughout the venue; USB charging ports. They also have game controllers and NFC readers that make it easy for fans to interact with games or other sponsorable digital activations. It represents a first-of-its-kind offering for a sports venue.
